A CELEBRATION OF LIFE
THOMAS CARL SMITH
Sunrise July 17th, 1961
Service: Saturday, January 22nd, 2022 | 1:00 pm EST
Sunset December 16th, 2021
Watch on YOUTUBE
East Harlem Fellowship
Post Memorial Zoom Celebration
Meeting ID: 2062486072
Officiant Pastor Mario Eusebio
Passcode: 206248
Obituary Thomas Carl Smith passed away peacefully in the early
her she was beautiful. In many ways, he tried to uplift
morning on December 16, 2021 from a short bout with
the younger family members. He would give money to
squamous lung cell cancer. He was born to Julia Mae
the Stroman cousins when they showed their report
(Jennings) Smith and Thomas Smith on July 17, 1961 in
cards with A’s & B’s. He really stressed the importance
Harlem, NY, both preceded him in death.
of education. Ask his son, T4, what are the 2 things he needs to accomplish in life?
Thomas was nick named Sluggo by his aunt Eleanor Oduro, (dad’s oldest sister). In later years, he preferred
He is survived by an amazing wife Thobekile Smith
to be called Tommy but family and old friends
(Msomi) and two phenomenal sons, Thomas “T4”
affectionately called him Sluggo, which is also the reason he didn’t like nick names. He said, “they last whether you want them to or not”.
Jayshawn Smith, age 21, (mother Nicole McCoy Johnson) and Carl Ndalo Smith, age 3; his sisters Celeste Evans (Junius), New York and Twanda Hill (Greg Riding), Arizona; aunts Mafori Moore, Edenau
Thomas spent most of his life in New York City. He went to PS 48, Junior High School 125 and Stevenson High School eventually got his GED. He attended college and was studying electrical engineering. He worked a variety of security jobs including at Brooklyn College. He was last employed with UPS and left them due to an injury. He lived in Seattle, WA for a short time having made a cross country trip with his Aunt
Gibson (Kamau), Abimbolah Smith, Asantewa Antobam (Fitzgerald DeFreitas); uncles Charles Smith (Veronica), Leroy “Cheeko” Jennings, James Jennings ; in-laws Letti Msomi, Lungi Msomi Dlomo, Phumlani Msomi, Sakhile Msomi, Hlengiwe Msomi Nyadi, Pumelela Msomi and a host of cousins from the Jennings, Stroman & Smith families and many beloved friends.
Asantewa. While there he got to cut grass for the first time and was so tickled by that experience. In 1975,
He was preceded in death by his parents, eldest sister Janice Smith (Larry) and his nephew Larry Jr.,
Tommy was a part of the family pilgrimage to Africa grandparents Rosalie & Thomas Smith and Elsie &
that had a life changing effect on the Smith’s. Leroy Jennings; aunts Eleanor Oduro, Helen Stroman (Rudolph); uncles Jimmy Smith, Walker Jennings, Bill
He loved to watch boxing matches which was Jennings & Johnny Jennings and his father-in law
something we did as a family since our father was a Johannes Msomi. So, you can see while we mourn his
Golden Glove Champ. Tommy was known for telling loss, he was welcomed with loving arms.
women they were beautiful. One day on an outing with Rudy and Lil Rudy, he told Lil Rudy to say hello beautiful to every woman that walked by. To this day, Lil Rudy still greets women with “Hello beautiful”. Rudy’s sister, Rushonna recalls that Tommy was the first man to tell
Order of Service SLIDE SHOW / FOR ALL WE KNOW......................................... JOSEPHINE HOWELL OPENING REMARKS........................................ PASTOR MARIO MUSICAL SELECTION AVE MARIA..................... JAYZA DUSHON & TIM BENNING OLD TESTAMENT READING......................... SIMONE DELANEY PROVERBS 2:1-8 NEW TESTAMENT READING....................... TWANDA HILL MATTHEW 5:3-12 PRAYER OF COMFORT....................................... PASTOR MARIO MESSAGE FROM THOBEKILE MSOMI SMITH, WIFE OF THOMAS SMITH ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS, EMAILS & CARDS....... TWANDA HILL POEM, MY TOMMY....................................... THOBEKILE SMITH WRITTEN BY VERNET CLEMONS NETTLE, EDD DANCING IN THE STORM, MUSIC BY MONA TERRY REFLECTIONS RECORDED VIDEO MESSAGES FROM FAMILY & FRIENDS POEM, TODAY HOPE FLOATS ......................... VERNET C. NETTLES READING OF OBITUARY.................................... CELESTE EVANS RIBBON IN THE SKY........................................ JOSEPHINE HOWELL EULOGY........................................................... PASTOR MARIO MUSICAL SELECTION I RISE..................... JAYZA DUSHON & TIM BENNING BENEDICTION.................................................. EVERYONE May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all, now and evermore. Amen.
…
My Tommy, My Love
Dedicated in loving memory to Thomas *Tommy” Carl Smith My Tommy, My Love…
Some will say we lost the fight.
Your smile and your laughter Touched my heart
But my heart knows that we won. I see you in the smiles of our sons,
And drew me in.
And I know you rest in the arms
of God.
And I hooked my wagon
To yours on this life’s journey,
My Tommy, My Love,
Because I loved you.
In heaven above.
My Tommy, My Love…
Gone from me here,
Your smile hid your struggle.
But forever in my heart.
Your heart held your pain.
I love you.
But my heart desired to love yours
Amen.
To healing and restoration.
My Tommy, My Love… We fought hard and
We fought true,
Vernet Clemons Nettles, EdD
To never give up on me or you.
January 13, 2022
Family Thank You
Perhaps you sent a lovely card, or sat quietly in a chair. Perhaps you sent a floral piece, If so we saw it there. Perhaps you spoke the kindest words, as any friend could say. Perhaps you were not there at all, just thought of us that day. Whatever you did to console our hearts, we thank you so much whatever the part.
Thank you to everyone that supported the shift from an in person service to online. Your flexibility allowed us to create a beautiful homegoing celebration for Thomas Smith while staying safe. Although funerals may feel sad, they also bring families together and allow everyone to reconnect. Please keep the love flowing and stay in touch. A special thanks to Renee Evans and Thomas Smith IV for their love and support getting Sluggo to medical treatment. Because of them they were able to make his final days comfortable.
The Msomi & Smith Family
Crematorium Affordable Cremation Services of New York 130 Carleton Avenue Central Islip NY 11722
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